Share this article

The French government is cashing in since it expanded its speed camera network. Here are the ten speed traps that flashed the most in 2017.

France's Interior Ministry unveiled this week just how profitable its fleet of speed cameras was in 2017.

A total of 26.1 million speed infractions were recorded in 2017 by 3,275 cameras across the country, which according to data from state auditors the Cour des Comptes amounted to €1.01 billion in fines.

"It's easy enough to respect the speed limits that are in place," Emmanuel Barbe the government's road safety tsar warned drivers back in May.

"I'd like to remind drivers that before every speed camera there is a sign warning them of its presence so it's up to each individual to take responsibility".

Drivers in France should be even more careful nowthat ‘speed camera' cars operated by private companies have already been rolled out in Normandy and the plan is that "all of France will be covered by mid-2019”, meaning speedsters could be caught on any road.

The fact that the French government cut the speed limit on secondary two lane roads from 90km/h to 80 km/h on July 1st is likely to mean more drivers fall for speed traps as well.

The state's increasingly watchful eye over the roads is also seeing more drivers take out their road rage on the speed cameras themselves.

France's Cour des Comptes recorded an increase in speed cameras broken or damaged by furious motorists, from 23 in 2016 to 40 in 2017.